3 Minute Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese

I annotate almost every recipe I use. I add what I adapted, what actual measurements I used, and what I thought of the taste.

This recipe has one comment: “I thought I’d died and gone to cheesy heaven”.

This is one of my favourite recipes ever. I mentioned it on Facebook last week. You asked – you got! I’m excited to share it and I’m excited to hear how you find it!

This is perfect food for colder days and so, so easy for crazy school nights. I will warn you, it may take a little fiddling the first time to get the timing right in your slow cooker but you will be glad you did.

This is also my traditional dish when I drop over something for new parents. I usually stir in some peas so they have a vegetable in there too.

A pinch of cayenne or paprika (optional) or mustard powder (made-up mustard will curdle the milk)

1/2 tsp salt and 1tsp freshly ground pepper

1 egg (optional) – I didn’t have an egg last time I cooked this and it came out more creamy but less ‘custardy’. My son still had thirds!

Directions:

(These will sound weird: go with me).

Grease your slow cooker stoneware.

Tip in the pasta – uncooked.

Mix the egg with the milk in a bowl and then add the cheese and seasoning. Stir well.

Tip the milk mixture over the pasta and stir well to combine. Actually, who am I kidding – I do the whole thing in the slow cooker bowl.

You can almost smell it, can’t you?

Cook on High for 2 1/2 – 3 hours. Definitely check after 2 1/2 hours or sooner if you think it looks done but keep the lid off for as short a time as possible. (Each time you open the lid on a slow cooker, you slow down cooking time by about 1/2 hour.)

Verdict:

Yup. Cheesy heaven. Now Tintin can have a bit of cheese here and there (he was dairy-free for 2 1/2 years), this will be a regular meal in our house. If you like your macaroni cheese more solid and less sloppy, just cook for a little longer.

You could also add in variations like chunks of cooked bacon, using a little smoked cheese, some mixed herbs, adding in veggies to the mix (pre-cooked butternut squash is good), using wholemeal pasta and cooking for a little longer etc. Go have fun. You can thank me later!